IMAGE Business Woman of the Year 2015 Judges Lunch

Are Cheryl And One Direction’s Liam Payne Dating?

For today’s, we-didn’t-expect-that news, the rumour mill is churning out the story that Cheryl and One Direction’s Liam Payne are in a relationship. According to The Sun, the two musical stars have been an item since December, and a source claims it’s “serious,” with words like “in love” being thrown around.

A friend of the pair allegedly told the publication: “Cheryl and Liam are in a relationship. It was unexpected, but they’ve both made each other incredibly happy.”

And Cheryl has undoubtedly had a rough few months, with the end of her 18-month marriage to French restaurateur Jean-Bernard. On Valentine’s Day, Liam posted a photograph of a single rose to his Instagram, which was said to be dedicated to Cheryl in the wake of recent suggestions of a budding romance. His tattoo is also rather reminiscent of Cheryl’s own artwork, but we’ve a feeling, at least, that part of the story is coincidental. Plenty of people have floral tattoos after all.

“They’ve always got on well and share many of the same interests, but there was never anything romantic between them in the past,” the source continued.

“Their relationship developed very quickly in December after the X Factor final where One Direction gave their last performance before starting their hiatus. Liam is madly in love. This is the real deal.”

They both attended the BRIT Awards on Wednesday but weren’t photographed together. Cheryl and Liam first met on the X Factor in 2010, when the boy band favourite auditioned as a solo artist on the talent show.

Payne also recently ended his relationship with long-term girlfriend Sophia Smith in October.

Time will tell. They do make a ridiculously good-looking couple, though.